Mossdale to Dromore

Mossdale to Dromore

Walk No: Glenkens 45

Start: Mossdale GR NX 662706.

Nearest Town: Mossdale

Notes: This is a linear walk from Mossdale to the Visitor Centre at Dromore along the Old Paddy Line, passing by scenic Lochs Stroan and Skerrow and into the heart of Galloway. Two cars are required for this walk, one taking you to the start and the other awaiting your arrival at the finish. Should this be impractical then the walk can be attempted from either end returning when approximately halfway.

Distance: 8 miles

Height Gain: Approx. Time: 4hours

Relevant Map: Difficulty: Moderate

Terrain: Old disused railway track.

Toilets: At Visitor Centre.

Refreshments: Mossdale shop/PO. and Dromore Visitor Centre.

Route Description

1. Leave the car park and head under the road bridge and through the gate. Follow the obvious old railway track as it heads straight towards the forest where another gate allows access to an old cutting, now reclaimed by nature. Continue over the Stroan Viaduct as it spans the outflow of Stroan Loch.

2. The route follows the line of the old railway for approximately 5 Km with open moorland to the L and forest on the R. before reaching the shores of Loch Skerrow. Here ruins of the Halt can be found where trains used to pass and fill up with water. Remnants of the platforms and a small building can be found. Continue following the track as it curves R in a broad sweep with reminders of its past as a railway. Look for a forest road on the R just before the track passes over an embankment. The old viaduct that once spanned the Little Water of Fleet has been demolished and there is no way to cross the river. Join the forest track turning L and keeping the old railway in sight on the L.

3. A concrete bridge spans the Little Water of Fleet and the forest road curls back through scrubby willow trees and rejoins the old railway which is now adopted as a forest road. A long straight stretch leads ultimately to the Big Water of Fleet viaduct, but this is considered unsafe and is fenced off. Follow the forest road R as it parts company with the old railway turning L as it meets another very obvious track near Meikle Cullendoch. (Ignore the old and overgrown track junction a little nearer.) Continue passing over a bridge spanning the Big Water of Fleet, turn L and soon the brick pillars of the Big Water of Fleet viaduct loom large straight ahead. The track continues through a gate, under the viaduct and the Visitor Centre will be found a short distance beyond on the R.